Tag: chanel

“I am sorry Mademoiselle, it is not ready for you.” says the gentlemen at Bruce and Scott in the 8th arrondissement.

“You said Tuesday, my flight is tomorrow.” I reply in my slowest and clearest English.

“Can you return before your flight?” he responds.

“No, my flight to San Francisco is in the morning.” I say as calmly as possible as I curse myself for not finding the suit earlier in my 10 day solo trip to Paris.

“Let me see what I can arrange today for you. You looked so lovely in the suit.”

“Merci. It was just a few alterations at the waist and the length.”

I rush off to gather my other purchases and will return in a few hours.

I had boldly decided to use the bulk of the airline miles I had earned traveling back and forth to New York and Chicago for my first employer, a consulting firm. I was the National Recruiting Manager. The trip was in September after a busy summer managing the summer associates from the various MBA programs. I grabbed one seat in first class with my miles right after Labor day. The trip fit my schedule perfectly before the onslaught of campus recruiting in the fall.

I had ended up staying in a gorgeous apartment that belonged to the American mother of one of the summer associates. I had called her after staying in a hotel on the Champs Elysees as she was weekending in Portugal at the time. I was having trouble with the phone card system for a pay phone and an American actor passed me on the street. I knew he would speak English, so I asked for help. I reached her on the phone and made arrangements to move to her apartment in the 7th on the third day of my ten day trip. I climbed many stairs with my luggage and enjoyed the fitness challenge.

On my last evening my host was able to clear her schedule, so I could take her to dinner.

“So what did you buy?”, she asked.

“A red suit for work.” I proudly replied

“From where?”, she asked

“Bruce and Scott”

“That does not even sound French.”

“Well I love it and it was a great price. There was a small issue with the tailor’s schedule, but I picked it up in time.”

Back home in San Francisco, I was wearing designer clothes that I could not really afford. I always believed you need to dress for the job you want. On this trip I focused on things you could only get in France on a limited budget. I tallied my receipts each night and organized them, so I could file for the refund on the VAT at the airport. My purchases did require that I buy a large suitcase for the return trip.

I could not wait to wear the red suit. I flew home in the jacket with jeans and some new shoes I bought on the trip. Whenever I was a sleep deprived, had a stressful meeting, or I had to stand up in front of the room and facilitate a big decision, I put on the suit to bolster my confidence. It had magic powers.

When I was invited to “Wear Red and Attack”, a Chanel lipstick pop up event last week, I jumped on it. (If you would like to see moreof the event check out my highlights on instagram ). Memories of Paris came flooding back. I am still figuring out how to wear a red lip, but I tried the rouge allure ink in luxuriant and the double intensite in daring red was a runner up (I wear the double intensite all the time in light rose).

This weekend I reached into the back of my closet to find my red suit and was so happy it had not been lost in a closet purge. I bravely tried it on and presented it to my fashion court, which includes my eight year old son, my husband and puggle, Cupcake. Since the suit was expertly tailored to my 27 year old waist, I can’t zip it, or tuck a shirt or wear a belt as I had done then. But I did get it on and the jacket might make it back into the rotation. I will spare my readers a photo of me in it currently. My fashion court was honest and mostly kind. My son was quick to point out that the jacket fit better than the skirt. My husband was impressed that it fit as well as it did. It was thrilled to see it again, no matter how it fit.

It all started with one plaid nail two years ago. I used to hate getting manicures. I endured them every two weeks or so. I always wore a very light pink so that I could get away with chips. I decided to try to Olive & June a little over two years ago and have started to enjoy the actual process. Then right before Christmas, I decided to get red nails (gasp!). I was wearing a plaid shirt and shoes (duh) and was inspired to see how one plaid nail would look. From then on, I have had some kind of nail art every week. The design is often inspired by something I am wearing ( a few favorites here, here and here), an event (like my dog’s birthday or my son’s birthday or my wedding anniversary here and here), or my travels (here, here and here).

I am all in when it comes to plaid. I love the the tuxedo details on this blazer and could not resist matching my heels. I kept it high/low with my new favorite vintage straight denim. If you have been frustrated with distressed holes that continue to grow, these are for you. They are patched underneath.

“Some of my friends at school say Santa is not real.” says my seven year old.

My heart stops and my stomach drops until he says, “But I KNOW he is real. I usually get everything I ask for and I have seen him and he looks exactly the same each year.” I sigh internally with relief and thank The Grove Los Angeles for having such an awesome Santa (that is the same guy every year).

“Wasn’t is so nice of Santa to put together the hot wheels ultimate garage last year, so it was ready to go in the morning?” he continues. “I am ready to make my list.” I start typing it into the notes in my phone:

“Take a look at the list and take off the things that are easy for you to get. I will only ask Santa for the things that are harder. That will make your shopping easier.” My eyes start to tear up and I fight them back. I want to freeze this moment in time.

We brought the list to Santa this weekend. Santa told him no one had asked for a calculator in a while.

This week’s mani is both festive and nostalgic. The pine cone reminds me of my own childhood on the Monterey Peninsula and all the huge pine trees. I don’t remember when I stopped believing in Santa, but I am enjoying every second of Santa magic now.

It is hard to think about a camellia and not also think about Coco Chanel. My son and I have been reading this book about the life of Coco Chanel at bedtime, so I have had Chanel on the brain. The polish is subtle matte pink and I love the little touch of camellia. I think Coco would approve…

I am frequently asked where I come up with my nail art ideas. Some weeks I know exactly what I want and it’s tied to an event or holiday. Sometimes I am inspired by nail art that I see on Instagram. More often I am inspired by fashion and what am wearing that day. It is always a collaboration with the talented staff at Olive & June. This Drake’s for J. Crew shirt (that I recently scored on super sale) served as inspiration this week. Besides, it was another chance to wear my favorite navy polish by Chanel.

J & J forever! Our wedding invitation monogram lives on. It’s no secret that I love a good monogram. We created this one for our wedding invitations and stationery nine years ago. My mom surprised us on our wedding day with monogrammed champagne glasses. We added a little color (our favorite blues) and personalized our bedding and towels a few years ago. I thought it was a tall order to turn it into nail art, but the nail artists at Olive & June are nothing short of amazing.

Heart on your sleeve? How about heart on your ring finger? My ninth wedding anniversary is this month. Mercury is in retrograde. Spring break and spring fever have brought a new energy (sass) to my seven year old. Some things make you feel the love while some things call on you to show more of the heart’s elixir , Regardless, more love and compassion are always a good thing.

Spring Break in Seattle! Spring Break in Seattle! We decided to mix it up and head north instead of south for the vacation. My son and I had a few days to explore the city and see family. We had a great time and a variety of weather. It was good for my Southern California born and bred seven year old to experience something different.

The stars were all out last night. Our family Oscar viewing party included a fort in the family room, and Postmates delivery of Bareburger (yum!). If you have not tried Postmates, it is amazing and with code ryi1k your first delivery is free.

We had a ballot contest. My son is seven and it was his first time participating. The only movie on the ballot he had seen was Zooptopia. He was asleep before it was over and he missed being the winner for a few minutes and then coming in second. He had picked “La La Land” for just about everything. Sadly, I came in last. At least I have stars on my nails to get me through the week.